Projectile and Target Game and Method of Playing

ABSTRACT

This invention is a projectile and target game that can employ beverage drinking, as well as a related method of use. The invention is adapted to allow at least three teams of players to participate in the game at a given time. The game includes a game surface that would be able to accommodate at least three distant sets of projectile receivers mounted above it. At least one projectile, such as a ping pong ball, that would be used to hit or land inside one of the projectile receivers.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/795,227, filed Oct. 12, 2012 by the present inventor.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of Invention

The invention described here generally relates to a projectile and target game that can employ beverage drinking. The invention is specifically adapted to allow more than two teams or sets of players to participate in the game at a given time.

II. Background and Description of Problem

Projectile games that incorporate drinking such as “beer pong,” are very popular with young adults. These games typically include a rectangular playing surface such as a ping pong table, a set of drinking cups at each end, and a projectile such as a ping pong ball. Two players or two teams of players take turns attempting to throw or bounce one or more ping pong balls into one of the cups of the opposing team. If a ball lands in a cup, a member of the opposing team must drink the beverage in that cup, and/or remove the cup from the playing surface. If a ball does not land in a cup, the opposing team then attempts to throw one or more balls into a cup of the first team. These alternating throwing attempts continue until one of the teams no longer has any cups on the playing surface.

The main issue with the game described above is that only two teams can play at a given time.

III. Statement of the Objectives

If the game was adapted to allow at least three teams to play at a given time, more people would be able to participate. Also, an increase in strategy, such as a choice of which team to play against, would also become a factor, and allow for greater enjoyment of the game.

Instead of only two sets of target cups defended by two teams respectively, at least three sets of target cups defended by three teams would allow more people to interact with the game. Three sets of target cups, for example, could be set up on a game surface instead of only two sets. It would be preferable for the three sets of target cups to all be equidistant to each other. Therefore, a triangular, circular or square shaped table for example, would accommodate three equidistant sets of cups better than a typically used rectangular table.

IV. Description of Prior Art

A search was performed for prior art describing non-rectangular game surfaces to determine if more than two sets of target cups were disclosed. Four devices were found in a search of the prior art. They disclose the capabilities of those skilled in the relevant art. Their disclosures and nondisclosures are discussed.

One such device is found in U.S. Pat. No. 8,006,980 issued to Herro. The Herro '980 patent discloses an “ . . . upper surface being triangular shaped,” but does not disclose more than two sets of target cups.

Another such device is found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,325,807 issued to Eason. The Eason '807 patent discloses triangular “holder,” “formation,” “array,” and “retainer portion,” as well as disclosing multiple sets of cups on the game surface, but does not disclose more than two sets of target cups.

Another such device is found in U.S. Patent Application 2012/0032402 for Comee. The Comee '402 patent application discloses “ . . . a triangular formation in a cup platform” and “ . . . ball tray may be triangular in shape,” but also does not disclose more than two sets of target cups.

Another such device is found in U.S. Patent Application 2010/0244384 for Hoffer. The Hoffer patent application discloses “ . . . platform . . . triangle-shaped” for accommodating cups, but again does not disclose more than two sets of target cups.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a projectile and target game as well as a related method of use. One form of the invention includes a game surface, such as the top of a table. The game surface would be able to accommodate at least three sets of projectile receivers or targets, such as cups. Each set of cups can be one cup or a plurality of cups, with each set of cups distant from the other two sets. The distance of the sets of cups being greater than the distance between the cups in each set. A projectile, such as a ping pong ball or other sphere, would be launched in a manner, such as thrown, to hit a target or land inside a cup to indicate a successful launching.

In another form of the invention the three sets of cups can be placed a similar distance, equidistant to each other to allow for a comparable launching of the ball for each team. A triangular, circular or square game surface for example, can accommodate three equidistant sets of cups better than a conventional rectangular game surface.

In a further form of the invention the game surface can be made up of a plurality of sections that could be taken apart and would be easier to transport.

In a further form of the invention the game surface can have three equidistant target indicia indicating a delineation where each of the three sets of cups should be placed to ease the setup of the game.

Another form of the invention is a method of playing the target and projectile game, the method including the steps of: providing a projectile and target game including a projectile such as a ball, a game surface, and at least three sets of projectile receivers such as cups; mounting the three sets of cups, a first set, a second set and a third set of cups, above the game surface; situating the sets of cups distant to each other, the distance of the sets of cups being greater than the distance between the cups in each set; selecting at least three teams, a first team, a second team and a third team, each team comprising one or more members or teammates; situating a player of the first team proximate or near the first set of cups; the player of the first team would launch the projectile towards a second set of cups.

In another form of the invention a player of the second team would launch a projectile towards the third or the first set of cups.

In still another form of the invention a player of the third team would launch a projectile towards the first or second set of cups.

In still another form of the invention a successful launching of the ball would result in the ball landing inside a distant cup which can result in the removal of that cup.

In still another form of the invention an unsuccessful launching of the ball would result in the ball not landing inside a distant cup, further resulting in a subsequent launching of a ball by a teammate or the launching of a ball by an opposing player.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings depict possible embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a circular game surface and three sets of projectile receivers.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a square game surface and three sets of projectile receivers.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a triangular game surface and three sets of projectile receivers.

FIG. 4 is an environmental perspective view of the game surface with projectile receivers and players, with one player launching a projectile.

FIG. 5 is a detail view showing a possible embodiment of an indicia used for locating a set of the cups.

FIG. 6 is an environmental side view of the game surface with projectile receivers and players, with one player launching a projectile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is an apparatus and method for at least three teams of players to engage in a projectile, target, drinking game.

Referring to FIG. 1, the game apparatus would include a game surface 11, in this embodiment, circular, that could accommodate at least three sets of targets or projectile receivers 12, 13, and 14. The sets of targets, or in this embodiments, cups, would be situated distant or optimally, equidistant from each other for fairness of play. Each of the cups could contain a certain amount of liquid.

Referring to FIG. 2, the game apparatus would include a game surface 21, in this embodiment, rectangular, that could accommodate at least three sets of targets or projectile receivers 22, 23, and 24. The sets of targets, or in this embodiments, cups, would be situated distant or optimally, equidistant from each other for fairness of play. Each of the cups could contain a certain amount of liquid.

Referring to FIG. 3, if the game surface 30, in this embodiment, triangular, was made up of a plurality of sections 31, 32, and 33, it would allow for easier transport.

Referring to FIG. 4, the game apparatus would also include a projectile 41, or in this embodiment, a small sphere or ping pong ball. The projectile receivers 43, 44, and 45, may be placed upon or within location indicators or target indicia 46, 47, and 48, respectively so the location of the projectile receivers is similar for each game. The projectile receivers are shown with hidden lines in this figure to better show the game surface and indicia, but are still part of the invention. A player X of the first of at least three teams would be situated proximate to one of the three sets of cups 43, which would belong to their team. Player X would then launch the ping pong ball 41 towards a distal set of cups 44 belonging to a second of the three teams.

If the ball 41 lands inside a cup belonging to an opposing team, it may be considered to be a successful launch. The cup which contained the ball, may be removed from the field of play.

If the ball fails to land inside a cup belonging to an opposing team, it may be considered to be an unsuccessful launch. A second ball could then be launched by a second player of the first team towards the cups 44 of the second team or the second ball could be launched towards the cups 45 belonging to the third team.

A ball that is unsuccessfully launched towards the cups 44 of the second team may then be taken by a player Y of the second team and launched towards the cups 45 belonging to third team or towards the cups 43 belonging to first team. A ball that is unsuccessfully launched towards the cups of the third team may then be taken by a player Z of the third team and launched towards the cups 43 of the first team or towards the cups 44 of the second team. The game would progress until only one team has cups remaining on the game surface.

It would be very helpful to the players to have the indicia mounted to the game surface 42 to delineate the placement of the cups on the game surface. The indicia may be above the game surface, or be a depth below the game surface, or on the game surface surrounding the projectile receivers. The indicia could also go through the game surface to better contain the projectile receivers. The indicia could be a set of dots or holes or have a simple shape such as triangular as shown in FIG. 5. The indicia could also have a more complex shape such as logo or advertisement. Again in the interest of fairness to each team, it would be optimal for the indicia to be equidistant from each other.

Referring to FIG. 6, the game surface 61, could be flat and level as shown in the figure, or be at an incline and/or have various elevation differences.

The foregoing description of the illustrated embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The description was selected to better explain the principles of the invention and practical application of these principles to enable others skilled in the art to better utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set forth below. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A target game, the game comprising: a game surface adapted to receive at least three sets of projectile receivers.
 2. The game defined in claim 1, further comprising at least three sets of projectile receivers mounted above the game surface.
 3. The game defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one projectile.
 4. The game defined in claim 1, wherein the game surface is triangular.
 5. The game defined in claim 1, wherein the game surface is circular.
 6. The game defined in claim 1, wherein the game surface comprises a plurality of sections.
 7. The game defined in claim 2, wherein the at least three sets of projectile receivers are cups.
 8. The game defined in claim 3, wherein the at least one projectile is a sphere.
 9. The game defined in claim 3, wherein the at least one projectile is a ping pong ball.
 10. The game defined in claim 1, further comprising at least three target indicia mounted to the game surface.
 11. The game defined in claim 10, wherein the at least three target indicia are each adapted to delineate a placement of each of the at least three sets of projectile receivers.
 12. The game defined in claim 11, wherein the at least three target indicia are equidistant from each other.
 13. The game defined in claim 11, wherein the at least three target indicia are triangular.
 14. A method of playing a target game, the method comprising the steps of: providing a target game, the target game comprising at least one projectile, a game surface, and at least three sets of projectile receivers; mounting the at least three sets of projectile receivers to the game surface; situating the at least three sets of projectile receivers distant to each other; selecting at least three teams, each of the at least three teams comprising at least one player; situating a player of a first of the three teams proximate to a first of the three sets of projectile receivers; and launching the at least one projectile by the player of the first of the three teams towards a second of the three sets of projectile receivers.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising situating a player of a second of the three teams proximate to the second of the three sets of projectile receivers; and launching the at least one projectile by the player of the second of the three teams towards a third of the three sets of projectile receivers or towards the first of the three sets of projectile receivers.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising situating a player of a third of the three teams proximate to the third of the three sets of projectile receivers; and launching the at least one projectile by the player of the third of the three teams towards the second of the three sets of projectile receivers or towards the first of the three sets of projectile receivers.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein a successful launching of the at least one projectile results in removing at least one of the projectile receivers.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein a successful launching of the at least one projectile comprises the at least one projectile landing inside at least one of the projectile receivers.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein an unsuccessful launching of the at least one projectile results in a subsequent launching of at least one projectile by an opposing player.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein an unsuccessful launching of the at least one projectile results in a subsequent launching of at least one projectile by a teammate. 